The Air Canada Public Participation Act requires the corporation to "maintain operational and overhaul centres in the City of Winnipeg, the Montreal Urban Community and the City of Mississauga."

The company’s abrupt closure left employees out of work in its three main plants in Montreal, Vancouver and Winnipeg. Other facilities were also closed in Edmonton, Calgary, Trenton, Ont., and Mississauga.

Nearly 200 Aveos workers staged a march in downtown Montreal on Tuesday morning, joined by former Liberal leader Stéphane Dion. The workers were headed for the private residence of Air Canada board member Pierre Marc Johnson.